ACT introduces bill for cashless pokies, ATM ban and cut to 1,000 machines by 2045

The Australian Capital Territory has introduced legislation that would move all poker machines in Canberra to a cashless, account-based system. The Gaming Machine (Harm Prevention and Reduction) Amendment Bill 2026 was presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly on 20 October by Minister for Gaming Reform Marisa Paterson, during Gambling Harm Action Week. It amends the Gaming Machine Act 2004 and related regulations.

Under the framework, players would have to apply for an account and verify their identity before receiving a player card, which would be the only way to use a machine. When opening an account, a player would need to select a net loss limit. After one hour of play, a 15-minute break would be required. A higher limit could be chosen only 48 hours after the current one was set, while limits could be lowered at any time. Licensees would commit an offence if they issued a card to a child or allowed a child to use the system on their premises.

The bill would also replace the current cap of $250 in ATM withdrawals per gaming day with a full ban on ATMs at premises that contain gaming machines. Machine numbers would fall through the compulsory surrender of 500 authorisations every four years, with the aim of reaching 1,000 machines by 2045.

The measures would not all apply immediately. The first compulsory surrender round would not take place until 2029, and the account-based gaming provisions and ATM ban would start only after written notice from the minister. According to the explanatory statement, the transition period is meant to let venues adjust their operations and upgrade venue management technology.

The government cited the 2024 ACT Gambling Survey, which found that one in six adults had experienced at least one type of gambling harm. Gaming machines accounted for about one third of the territory's total gambling harm burden. The bill was developed with input from the Cashless Gaming Working Group, which included clubs, community organisations, academics and the Gaming Technologies Association.

The Alliance for Gambling Reform welcomed the bill but argued that stronger protections are needed. It wants loss limits to be legally binding, breaks in play to be mandatory and longer shutdown periods for gaming.